By Bella Osgood
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT, NH – After the Newport Board of Selectmen announced that Town Manager Hunter Rieseberg had been removed from his position as of Monday, July 10, there has been a variety of reactions from the public and town employees. It remains unclear whether or not the public will ever become aware of the details behind why Rieseberg being “separated from his position”
When speaking with the Interim Town Manager Paul Brown, he said that Rieseberg’s absence is unfortunate and that he “worked well with Hunter.” “He did a lot of great things for the town,” said Brown. “I think there were a lot of assumptions about him and his relationship with the board. I don’t think any of it was personal gain for them.”
As far as being interim manager, Brown said that his prior experience as town manager and having been interim town manager twice in the past has given him “some idea of the chaos that’s coming in the next few months.”
Brown has worked simultaneously worked as both the town manager and finance director in the past. When a new Town Manager is hired, Brown will resume his usual duties.
Finance Assistant Theresa Lavoie said that Rieseberg being removed from his position was very sudden and that his departure was “very difficult”.
She went on to say that Rieseberg was “always fair and willing to listen” and that it “was a pleasure to work with him”. When asked if Lavoie would consider Rieseberg’s reputation amongst the community to be accurate, she said: “I don’t want to call anyone a liar, but I think there were misconceptions about him. He really wanted to make Newport a place that people would want to come to.”
On the other hand, Executive Assistant Joanne Dufour says that she is “not surprised” by this abrupt change in administration. Other anonymous sources said they felt as though Rieseberg was “constantly hiding something”.
Another said: “If I didn’t have to have a job, I would tell you everything,” regarding their personal opinions towards Rieseberg and his “unsavory” behavior.
Some Newport residents applauded this administrative change on the ‘What’s Up Newport’ page on Facebook, some saying that it was “about time”.
The goal is to have a new appointed Town Manager by November, preferably someone who plans to stay in the position for some time.
“I think this is the next chapter of Newport’s story,” Brown said.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.